27 Meaningful Ways to Use EdTech … THINGLINK Style!

Creating Fun Interactive Content With ThingLink is a Blast!

I've been wanting to give ThingLink a try for a while now. The idea of being able to easily overlay interactive links anywhere on an image seems like a pretty cool way to create fun, engaging learning content.

SUGGESTION: After you open it, use “Ctrl -” or “Ctrl +” to resize your browser screen for the best fit to explore the image and the pop-ups that appear as you hover over the embedded icons. By clicking on the pop-ups, each resource provided will open in a new window.

Granted, this image is a bit crowded. When thinking about using this tool in the classroom, one would be well advised to have far fewer icons/pop-ups.

Below I have also embedded the functional ThingLink interactive image.

Getting to Know ThingLink

So ThingLink was pretty easy to figure out, especially with the help of the tutorial videos they provide as you start to create your own “Things”. I do wish I realized to kind of avoid the very upper right corner of the image since it is partially hidden when viewed online at the ThingLink site.

Not only can you tag images, you can also tag videos! Tags in videos look and behave different, and they will pop up at the points you insert them, for the length of time you set. But you can do the basic thing with YouTube (unless I am missing something).

As with many applications, there is a limited free version and a full function paid version (the EDU Premium version is US $35 for a year). The free version lets you embed links in an image but limits the ways in which you customize the appearance and actions of the icons. I used the paid version.

If you're a ThingLink fan, maybe you'll share a ThingLink that you've created, and comment on how you use it in your class or course?

Kelly Walsh is Chief Information Officer at The College of Westchester, in White Plains, NY, where he also teaches. In 2009, Walsh founded EmergingEdTech.com. He frequently delivers presentations and training on a variety of education and technology topics at schools and conferences across the U.S. Walsh became the Community Administrator for the Flipped Learning Network in June of 2016. He also writes the "Technology Perspectives" Column for University Business magazine. In his "spare time" he writes, records, and performs original music ... stop by kwalshmusic.com and have a listen!
[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are my own, or those of other writers, and not those of my employer. - K. Walsh]

I have never tried Thinklink. I keep hearing about it and am very interested in trying it. I liked the example that was given. Thanks for the heads up on the cost of the premium version and the limits of the free version.

[…] Creating Fun Interactive Content With ThingLink is a Blast! I’ve been wanting to give ThingLink a try for a while now. The idea of being able to easily overlay interactive links anywhere on an image seems like a pretty cool […]